Rise...Update! SB 12-11-2020
What would a show in 2020 be without some sort of technical difficulties? Mrs. Watson and the SBTA students were frantically trying to address upload issues due to a computer crash all afternoon in anticipation of tonight’s world premiere of “Rise Up: a cabaret of songs, scenes, and monologues!” So, even though they were not able to all be together in person and perform in front of a live audience at least they weren’t robbed of the last minute butterflies or freaking out that can often accompany a middle school production. We aim to please :-)
As soon as the video is available, anyone who already purchased a ticket will be notified that it is ready to access. On the bright side, waiting at home is far more pleasant than standing in a crowded lobby waiting for the doors to open...
Most importantly, the work they have created has been preserved and we can all enjoy their efforts on our own time. If you have not already purchased a ticket for access to the links you can still do so until the end of January buy purchasing tickets at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/42955
Translations via Google Translate
Earlier this week, we sent out a COVID notification letter. In that email I included the following information that I think bears repeating... In the past, when we sent out one of these notifications, a handful of questions would arise in terms of how to best communicate with the school if students have been notified by the Board of Health that they should quarantine. In the event that a student needs to stay home to quarantine, please email our nurse, Mrs. Hanly, and the student's guidance counselor. Mrs. Hanly needs to keep track of any medical related absences and the guidance counselors will help students figure out how to access classes if they need to be remote during a typical in-person week. Accommodating requests for individuals to temporarily work remotely for a few days or for any reason other than quarantining or isolating might not be possible and should still be communicated through the guidance counselors. We will continue to do our best to support everyone throughout this time, but switching from one type of access to another could require time and adjustments that are not able to happen immediately as classes might not all be in the same place and joining other groups might create more of an issue for the individual or the group than simply being absent; so everyone’s patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.
With that, I present this week’s Notes from the Clinic, brought to you by the alignment of the CDC and the MDPH:
There seems to be some confusion about quarantine versus isolation: Isolation pertains to an individual who has a positive case of COVID; quarantine is for those who have been exposed to a positive case. When an individual tests positive for COVID they need to isolate away from everyone in their home for 10 days from symptom onset. If they receive a positive test and they are asymptomatic, they need to isolate for 10 days from the test result day. Very often the individual starts to feel better after a few days. Even though they are feeling better, they are still considered infectious and able to transmit the virus for 10 days. At the end of this period, as long as they have no temperature and an improvement in all symptoms, they are considered recovered from COVID and able to resume all activities including attending school and returning to work and other activities. When you recover from COVID, you should not be retested for at least three months because there is a chance you can continue to test positive even though you are no longer infectious. I have been involved in contact tracing since March and I have not had one instant of an individual testing positive more than once. I am attaching a document from the state about isolation:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sMT3JhLFrMbhvirA7Oil1kogNxVs9bXc/view?usp=sharing
We currently have several students in quarantine because of outside exposures. Last week I mentioned that the CDC had changed their guidance on quarantine regulations. This week the Mass Dept of Public Health aligned their guidance with CDC. I am attaching the document here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mUjb-8Djj4iPzTFmm8hlxEBsJaWQJxcD/view?usp=sharing Play close attention to the chart in the middle of the document. Close contacts are the individuals who need to quarantine. The definition of a close contact from the CDC is: Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. Every family member would be considered a close contact.
If your child is out sick and being tested for COVID-please let me know. If you as a parent have a known exposure and are symptomatic, please do not send your child to school until you receive a negative test. If we all continue to do our part, we will minimize the transmission of this virus in our community. To date, there has been not one transmission in our SB school building!
Continue to send in copies of your child’s flu shots. If you are not planning to have your child vaccinated, I do need that information in writing.
As always, call or email me with any questions or concerns. I do check email over the weekend.
Sue Hanly, RN, MSN
978-392-6974
We also have information this week from our district Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC):
The Westford Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC), in conjunction with the Westford Public Schools' Office of Pupil Services, is gathering feedback as it relates to special education in our district. We have created what we hope will be an annual survey, allowing both the SEPAC and the district, to self-reflect on current practices, make improvements, and plan for meaningful SEPAC activities.
This survey focuses on some basic questions around school communication, direct services, and SEPAC participation. It also includes a section on how COVID accommodations and changes have impacted the school year, so far.
Because we recognize that responses may change based on the child and their support team, we're asking SEPAC members to fill out one survey per child with special needs in the household. The end of the survey will present an option to start a new survey if necessary.
Please note that this survey is NOT a replacement for the special education process. If your child is struggling during this -- or any -- school year, reach out to your student's Team lead.
Additionally, please be aware that although you may remain anonymous, the data obtained from this survey may be shared with members of the district, including the School Committee. The SEPAC also expects to share the results of this survey with members of the SEPAC and the general public early in 2021.
This survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete (per child). Please complete this survey by Friday, December 18, 2020 at 5PM.
Thank you for taking time to fill out this survey.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1oucLJdEoncL-Z_aMmuyQxpLj56oFVatI4XXvIwb4-rdXeQ/viewform
With all of that, have a great weekend!
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School
Westford, MA
End of Year Teacher Appreciation Gifts!
Our incredible teachers have risen to the challenge of these uncertain times and remained present and a constant in our children’s lives and education. What a perfect time to thank them for all their hard work. Please consider sending a WEF note to your favorite teacher, counselor, teacher’s aide, school nurse, office staff member, or principal. It’s the perfect way to say thank you and support innovation in Westford schools at the same time! Money generated from these notes will be used to fund grants for the Westford Public School system.
.Just make a tax-deductible donation (minimum of $10 per honoree) to Westford Education Foundation and we will send your honoree an email from WEF with a personalized note. The email will state your name and your note, but will not disclose the amount of your gift. These cards make great end-of-year class gifts, as well.
Note: Donations made to WEF in WPS staff members’ names comply with the revised state ethical regulations in terms of gift-giving and acceptance.
Westford Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes excellence in education. We fund grants to teachers, staff, and the community for innovative educational initiatives,professional development, and life-long learning ventures.
Please visit https://www.westford.org/wef/teacher/ to fill out the form. You can complete your donation using your PayPal account or credit card.
Questions? Contact the Westford Education Foundation on wef@westford.org
Thank you!
--
Westford Education Foundation
P.O. Box 535
Westford, MA 01886
For the Love of Erika is a toy drive that began in Westford in memory of my friend, Erika, who passed away in 2005. Since then, FTLOE has delivered more than 20,000 presents to children in various hospitals and shelters throughout New England, as well as hosting holiday parties for families in shelters and the Department of Children and Families.
Due to COVID-19, all in-person deliveries and holiday parties have been canceled. We have maintained our commitment in providing gifts to at least 8 shelters and 3 hospitals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that we support each year. Instead of toy collections, we are seeking monetary donations. 100% of monetary donations will go toward the purchase of gifts. The need for toys is immense, and in order to meet the goal of delivering 250+ toys, the goal is to raise least $5,000 by December 15th.
I'm so grateful for your help every year. Stony Brook has collected so many gifts in recent years, and although we can't have the typical toy drive collection, I am confident that you will be able to help tremendously through donations!
Donations can be made through our GoFundMe page, Facebook page, or checks made out to For the Love of Erika, 3 Cutter Lane, Westford MA. For any further questions, please feel free to reach out to me at tgoodmanleong@gmail.com.
Thank you so much!
Taylor
Only 20 days until the Westford 2021 Signs of Hope display goes up on the Westford Commons!
If you have completed your sign, please return them to the marked bin either at the rear entrance of town hall or the gymside covered entrance at Roudenbush.
If you have not picked up a sign then you are in luck! There is still time! We have a little less then 20 left. To order one click here: https://gswestford.wordpress.com/signs-of-hope-2021/
Any questions can be directed to: gswestford@gmail.com